Join us for our 6-Midnight Crop!

It's that time of year again for our much anticipated 6-Midnight Scrapbooking Event! Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 18th at our Rexburg store. For a $10 fee, you will receive a packet full of My Mind's Eye products from their Laundry Line "Coastal" collection. It includes lots of glittered patterned papers, chipboard borders, rub-ons, die cuts, and more! You can create 3 layouts we have designed and still have plenty of product left over for your own ideas.

(Photo is just a respresentation of some of the items you may receive in your packet).

So bring your friends, bring snacks, and of course, bring your scrapbooking supplies. We will see you on April 18th!

p.s. Sneak Peeks of the projects you can make will be posted to the blog soon, so stay tuned!

Peek-A-Boo Slide Book

This innovative board book by Piggy Tales is made of all white chipboard and has 2 movable doors built into each page. The book measures 8"x8" and includes a template to cut out paper to cover the book.




Maureen has designed this darling "Book of Favorites" for her son. It features closeup photos of some of his favorite items so he can try to guess the answer to a riddle which Maureen has so cleverly written. When you slide the panel back, it reveals a complete photo of the item.

On the cover, the panel slides back to reveal a picture of her son.

You could include photos of your child's favorite toy, blanket, and stuffed animal.

Maureen has taken advantage of the large pages that don't have any doors to display photos of her son playing with the toy that was showcased on the previous page.

After seeing her son grabbing at the book with his sticky little fingers, Maureen decided to cover the sliding tabs and photos beneath with a piece of clear protective acetate. Then the photos won’t get scratched or damaged.

Small die cuts make great page embellishments without adding lots of bulk.

Leave a personal note for your child on the back for him to enjoy for years to come.

Unfinished Wood

Porter's has a great selection of unfinished wooden boxes that you can customize to fit your own decor.

First, paint the box with a color of your choice. Then attach scrapbooking paper with Mod Podge or other ultra strong adhesive. Add alphabet stickers, flowers and other embellishments as desired. (On our sample, we used "Thickers" alphabet stickers and new flowers from "Petaloo").


Use your box to store scrapbooking and crafting supplies, toys, books, etc. The possibilities are endless!

Table Runner Project

Bring a little spring into your home with this beautiful table runner made using Moda's Wildflower Serenade II Layer Cake.

Layer Cakes are collections of 10" x 10" squares of fabric. Made by Moda Fabrics, they are similar to a charm pack but at a larger size. They are available by collection and typically include 42 pieces of fabric, though the number may vary.

If you need help with any of your sewing and quilting projects, the experts in our fabric departments can help!

Reflections of a Female Entrepreneur

New Adventure

This is a new adventure for me...Blogging!! Mary Zollinger gave me a quick lesson and Ammie from the store is holding my hand, so here I go. My computer even tells me to check the spelling for blogging?

Porter's has come a long way in its evolution from a bookstore on main street where Grandpa Arthur Porter cosigned on a bank note and soon owned it. He didn’t want to lose an ad customer for his newspaper.

I have only been involved since 1971 when on one of our first dates, Chuck and I did a display with handheld mix masters. I was hooked on retailing and on Chuck.

We no longer sell books, small appliances, clothing, moon boots, ladies underwear, have a pet department, or toy land. But we still have the great customers and great associates who make the store run smoothly and great products for you. Our commitment is to bring out your creative side and to just have fun. Here's to a new adventure for me, to Spring, and to your creativity!

Scrapbooking Class 03/26/09

Join us for Scrapbooking class Thursday, March 26th from 6:00 to 9:00 in our Rexburg store. Choose one kit or both!

"Baby Me" by Kathy Davis
All About Me Class

"Beauty" by Stephanie Frisby
Heritage Class

Scrapbooking Layout Idea

2 Page 12x12 Engagement Layout

This is a great layout for romance any time of the year. Our Idaho Falls design team has used products from the very popular My Mind's Eye "Just Dreamy 2" and "Laundry Line" collections to create this soft sentimental layout. The base for the layout is Quartz colored Bazzill cardstock embellished with titles, rub-ons, and crocheted flowers. You can find all these items in our scrapbooking department.

New DCWV!

We just received 11 (yes, count them...11) new Paper Stacks from Die Cuts With a View in a variety of sizes ranging from 4x6 to 12x12. There is something for everyone!

Today we are highlighting the "Green Woodland" Stack. It is printed on 70% post-consumer recycled paper that is also acid- and lignin-free. These darling designs include a forest of playful woodland creatures including a watchful owl, quizzical bear—even a mischievous skunk! This collection is perfect for adults and children alike. To view the complete collection, click here.

Games, Games, and More Games!

Gobblet! by "Blue Orange Games"
Gobble up, line up and win !
Gobblet is the Award-Winning, Fun Game of Strategy. As easy as Tic-Tac-Toe, Gobblet can be learned in a few seconds and is fun to play again and again. Beautifully crafted, Gobblet is entirely made of wood and includes a great box with self-storage for all pieces. With irresistible fast moving play and astonishingly simple rules, Gobblet is a fun game for the whole family !

P.S. Don't Forget about Gobblet Jr!



I Spy 3-D by "Briarpatch"
Put on your 3-D glasses and enter the magical world of I SPY!
Read the rhymes and explore the 3-D tiles to find the floating objects and solve the riddle!
Create the game board by laying down the 3-D tiles...always a different pattern! Collect the most matching tiles to win.




Pitch a Story by "Imagine This Company, Inc."

It’s an educational game that's creative fun.

An acting board game puts you and your teammates at center stage while improving public speaking and performance ability. This fun story game lets you put together theatrical story elements taken from the game cards – a Character, a Challenge, a Friend or Foe, a Prop and a Setting – to create and act out a short, one to two minute storytelling presentation.Your creative team members review your "pitch" and award you storytelling points in the form of one to five "stars," just as newspaper reviewers rate movies, TV shows, and live theatrical performances.

Three Screen Message Center

Here is a great idea for creating a multi-purpose message center for your home.

Supplies:

Double-Sided Three Screen Photo Holder

1- Can of Acrylic sealer

1- 2oz Acrylic Paint (color of choice)

Soft grade sand paper or sanding sponge

2- 12x12 Sheets of decorative paper

1- 12x12 Sheet of black chipboard

1- 12x12 Sheet of self adhesive dry erase

3- 5x7 Sheets of tin

Optional: Size appropriate vinyl or metal wording

Optional: Favorite buttons, and 1 pk. ½” ceramic magnets

Directions:

1. Remove glass. Sand Three Screen Photo Holder, and wipe down with a damp, lint free cloth. Paint with desired color. Let dry, and then spray with Acrylic Sealer.

2. Cut paper, chipboard, tin, and dry erase sheets the same size as the glass. You will need 6 paper, 3 chipboard, 3 tin, and 3 dry erase pieces. (Remember, each panel is double-sided).

3. Clean glass. Create a "sandwich" for three of the openings in this order: Layer 1 glass, 1 paper, 1 tin, 1 paper, and then 1 glass for three of your openings. (Make sure the patterned paper is facing out on both sides of the panel so you can see it through the glass).

4. Adhere the dry erase pieces to the outside of three pieces of glass. Then create a "sandwich" in this order: Layer 1 glass with dry erase facing out, 1 chipboard, and then 1 glass.

5.Place combinations in desired openings.

6. Embellishing: Add your size appropriate vinyl or metal wording. Hot glue ½” ceramic magnets to back of your favorite buttons, to make fun magnets for holding your photos and notes.

Everafter by Cosmo Cricket

Have we ever mentioned that we LOVE Cosmo Cricket here at Porter's? Their latest collection, called "Everafter", is no exception! The beautiful subdued yellows, blues, and oranges are timeless yet trendy.

Although this line is geared towards a love/wedding theme, I found you are not strictly limited to lovey dovey projects. Even the pre-printed borders with all the love quotes on them can be disguised, as I did in this layout about me, my sister, and my Grandma:


But I also had to take advantage of the intended use of this collection and create a wedding layout. It turned out to be quite bulky because of all the ribbon and chipboard, but would look gorgeous in a shadow box and given as a gift:

The large scalloped circle was made using a 12x12 die from our free die cutting section in the scrapbooking department.

I wove sheer ribbon through the opening in the scallops and tied a knot in every other one.

Then I hand stitched a clear crystal bead to each knot. (I wish they showed up better in the pictures, but it really adds an elegant look to the page in real life)!

4th Saturday Open Crop

Just a reminder to all scrapbookers out there!
On March 28th Porter's will host an open crop from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. with a class on the different styles of photo albums from 1p.m.-3p.m.
There will also be a free make and take during class time. You will be able to make an 8 x 8 scrapbook page.
This open crop happens on the 4th Saturday of each month.
Please come have a good time with us and get caught up on your pages, or come and get started on a fun new hobby.
We are looking forward to seeing you there.

Mark April 11th on your calendars for
Porter's Second Saturday Scrapbook Class!

This month we will be focusing on "Keeping it Simple"...simple layouts, simple journaling, and simple everyday things. Remember, we are not just scrapping to spend money and time. It is to tell our story, and sometimes our lives are simple.

Sometimes you may only have one picture to scrap but the picture alone can speak a thousand words. Or maybe you have a cute picture but nothing really to say. Find a simple quote that you love and add it to your page. Or record your everyday adventures in simplicity.

Greenery

Spring is well on its way and it's time to refresh and renew the decor around your home!

Our new greenery provides a timeless and serene background for all your decorating projects.

Set in an attractive metal or ceramic container, or perhaps in one of our handsome trunks, greenery provides just the right accent and finishing touch for any room.

Garlands can transform a bookcase, mantel, or top of a cabinet grouping. Wrap a greenery garland around a grapevine garland and it adds even more height and depth to this type of arrangement.

Greenery bushes can stand alone, be mixed with other bushes, or be added to floral arrangements for a lush accent. They are a great touch on a shelf, table, or mantel.

Easy care and classic great looks make greenery bushes and garlands a "must have" on your decorating list.

Family Heirloom Collection for Home Decor

The weathered and timeless design of the Family Heirloom collection creates a beautiful look for your home. From rustic chests to embossed wall art, you are sure to find something you will love!

Click here to see our specials on this timeless collection.

March Clock Kit of the Month

It's that time again to pick up your March Clock Kit of the Month! This charming design was created by Tara Lehmann in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

Even if you haven't purchased previous months kits, it's not too late to start. All you need is the clock base and then you can add a new design every month, every season, or however often you would like.

This month's kit is on sale at our Rexburg store for only $4.49. Hurry in while they last!

Card Class this Thursday!

It's that time again! Join us this Thursday, March 19th, for card class at our Rexburg store at 6:00 p.m. Shelly has designed these versatile cards using the Fiskars "Tartan 'n Time" stamp set. Join us that night and get the stamp set for 30% off!

Amigurumi???

What is Amigurumi and how to do it?

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting small animals or toys. The dolls are done in single crochet in the round. The rounds are never joined, instead being worked in a spiral. Amigurumi are made up of parts that are crocheted, stuffed, and sewn together. The parts are usually an over-sized round head, a cylindrical body, arms and legs, ears, tail (if needed) and embellishments. Sometimes, felt is used to create the ears, face, or nose. Felt can also make some pretty cute embellishments.

We have pattern books and supplies in stock. So if you love the look of these adorable creatures, then come on in!

Quilt Week Starts Today!

Today marks the beginning of Quilt Week! Be sure to stop in to take advantage of our great sale prices. (Click here to see the current ad). We have many gorgeous quilts on display throughout the fabric department which have been made by talented area quilters.

On Saturday, March 21st, there will be a great lineup of demonstrations. Check out the schedule at the bottom of the ad for times.

We hope you join us for a fabulous week of quilting!

2nd Saturday Recap

With the increasing popularity of including fabric textures on scrapbook pages, we decided to highlight this topic during 2nd Saturday. Here are some tips and tricks to including fabric on your paper craft projects:

You can die cut fabric easily if you first attach it to Wonder Under. You can find Wonder Under in our fabric department. It is a fusible adhesive which is applied to a release paper. Attach it to the wrong side of the fabric by ironing it on. Then run it through a die cutting machine just like you would with paper. Attach it to your scrapbook project by ironing it on where desired.

On this pretty wedding page, the scalloped border was die cut from fabric.

Die cut or trace letters onto scraps of denim. Attach them to your layout with mini brads. They mimic the look of the rivets you would find on a pair of jeans.

You can layer fabric die cuts just like you would with paper. These bright flowers were made with two layers of fabric.

Another way to incorporate fabric on your page is to substitute it for ribbon. Gather the fabric with a large basting stitch. Attach it to the page by stitching it on as you gather, or use glue dots, staples, brads, or buttons. (See the next two examples):

Many fabrics have a motif that is perfect to use for a border on a layout. Simply cut the border out and attach to your page with Wonder Under like Candi did on this Baby Boy layout.



Tear strips of fabric and use them to embellish your page. Some paper companies have crossed over into fabrics and vice versa, so you can often find fabric that exactly matches your paper.

Stamp onto fabric with acrylic paint and use it for a unique title block:

It just makes sense for some embellishments to be cut from fabric such as the sail on this little sailboat:

Whether you tear, cut, fray, tie, sew, glue, stamp, ink, or fold you are sure to find a way to use fabric on your paper projects. We can't wait to see what you come up with!

*****

Last month, our 2nd Saturday theme was "Love." Here is a fun and bright layout by Chris Brown showcasing various pictures of her with her babies. Thanks for sharing, Chris!

The perfect cure for boredom!

Porter's has games for young and young at heart. These travel and card games are sure to be a hit with anyone! Check out the great selection of other hard-to-find games Porter's carries.